Thursday, May 31, 2007

SATAN THE TIGER - c1935 - VAN NUYSCollection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

This is special note of thanks to the leaders of the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Society for allowing The Board of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley to meet at their historic site for the last three months. The Museum Board

"The San Fernando Valley deserves a great regional Museum of history and culture."

Special thanks to Gary Fredburg and Fred Berk, exhibitors at the Vintage Paper Fair, for their constant vigilance for San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles memorabilia for our Museum. This commercial fair is really lots of fun, and it's a great way to spend an afternoon.

News has reached us that San Fernando Valley is about to celebrate a major new work of public art. Commissioned by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the work by sculptor Peter Shire will grace the Mission Community Police Station of the Los Angeles Police Department. Mission Station serves Granada Hills, Knollwood, Mission Hills, North Hills, Panorama City and Sylmar. A contributing member of our Museum Community, Phyllis Hansen says "I went to an "unveiling" this weekend, … at my friend Peter Shire's studio in Echo Park. Peter Shire is one of Los Angeles's "favorite native sons" in the international art "scene". His focus is ceramics and metal sculpture and has been doing a number of commissioned civic installations. Last summer, during the retrospective of the Memphis Design Group at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Peter Shire had his own exhibit room as part of that show. (… I was proud of him.) He was part of The Memphis Group, an association of various artists started by Italian designer Ettore Sottsass, a decade or two ago. ... His work is very contemporary, vivid in color and graphic/geometric in design and always fun and whimsical. Phyllis Hansen is a contributing member of our Museum Community. She is also a Director of the Friends of Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Historical Society.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Tarzana Museum and Historical Society has been growing steadily for the last three years. Handsome museum cases are being built and a careful evaluation of artificats is underway. One of the Society's most exciting projects, "Voices of Tarzana" plans to systematically capture the living histories of Tarzana residents over the next five years. It is the concept of Janet Canter.If you have an interest in documentary film or the recording of the priceless histories that have built Tarzana and the Valley, contact Ellen Carpenter or Helen Baker at the Center. Or, better yet, have lunch at the I-Hop on Ventura Boulevard and go next door and visit the Center and its dedicated volunteers.Check out the Tarzana Community Center on-line at www.mytarzana.org/ - 12k

"The San Fernando Valley deserves a great regional Museum of culture and history."

Just a reminder that Memorial Day next year has something very special for residents of the San Fernando Valley - FOOD! GREEK FOOD! Ask The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's own Rania Pallad about the Festival!

Saturday, May 26, 2007

54 years ago, the Los Angeles Herald Express Newspaper ran article about the important paintings and drawings of the California artist Orpha Klinker on display at the Southwest Museum. Phyllis Hansen shares this newspaper picture of John T. Wilson, the first Justice of the Peace of San Fernando. Wilson served in office during the 1880.

How well do you know the San Fernando Valley? For a 100 points identify the building and location of this Mexican baroque statue of the Prophet Moses. Clue: the sculptor who made this work is buried near this amazing statue.

A while ago, Phyllis Hansen, historian and member of the Board of Directors of Campo de Cahuenga, discovered an old time radio script, featuring an interview with the California artist Orpha Klinker (see this blog May 4, 2007). Ms. Klinker was not only a widely known artist and lover of San Fernando Valley history, but was also a friend of Mrs. Armitage Forbes the woman who saved many California missions and adobes - and the El Camino Real with now famous bells. The following is an excerpt from that radio interview, and something to consider this Memorial Day.

KLINKER: Yes it was in 1902 that she began her crusade for El Camino Real. But even before that, back in 1900, she had done something the whole nation can be grateful for. MARY: What was that? KLINKER: The establishment of a hallowed and beautiful tradition... her idea to have school children living in coastal cities toss wreaths into the ocean on Memorial Day to honor Naval Heroes lost at sea. The idea became so popular that in a few years our Navy asked to be allowed to take it over as a traditional ceremony each Memorial Day.

Thanks Phyllis for sharing this with our Museum Community.

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

The Board of Directors and the Advisors of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley will meet at the historic site of Campo de Caheunga on Wednesday, May 30th. The meeting will begin at 5:30 pm and conclude at 7:00 pm.

Congratulations to Dr. Abraham Hoffman and historian Teena Stern for the well written and exceptionally interesting article on Southern California water history in this month's Southern California Quarterly (the Journal of the Historical Society of Southern California - Vol. 89, No. 1). Entitled "The Zanjas and the Pioneer Water Systems for Los Angeles", the article demonstrates how we who share the City of Los Angeles have been dependent on water transportation since the founding of the pueblo many years ago.

Abraham Hoffman is a prolific author who writes on water history, the histories of Southern California minorities and other issues of vital importance to San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles history. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley for a year.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

CAMPO DE CAHUENGA "The Most Important Historic Site in Southern California"

California's treasure, the Campo de Cahuenga is about to experience a major 21st century upgrade. The museum building(erected in the 1950s) was constructed adjacent to the ruins of original Spanish Rancho Era structures. Campo de Cahuenga marks the location where California was ceded to the United States of America by the government of Mexico.The museum is expected to be closed for six months. State-of-the-art improvements will be made to both the building and the grounds.A major fiesta is being planned for the re-opening.

Monday, May 14, 2007

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley salutes Diane McCreary of Studio City, as our Valley Treasure for the month of May, 2007. Diane McCreary is active in the North Hollywood - Universal City Chamber of Commerce, and in the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce. Don't be surprised if you hear from Diane soon in her capacity of treasurer of the Friends of Campo de Cahuenga. She's determined to raise the funds to make the historic Campo accessible now and for future generations.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

This photograph taken in the 1930s tells us many things about life in the San Fernando Valley in that era. The gasoline station was tended by one of its two owners, Rex Shreves. The silent partner in the Lankershim Boulevard station was the brother of the then famous silent film comedian, Harold Lloyd. With plenty of land available, the service station was set back from Lankershim and enhanced by palms and other trees. Rex Shreves, born in Orient, Iowa, at one time ran the Bank of Greenfiled (in Iowa). Later he tried his hand at property development in Oregon, and finally settled in North Hollywood, California. He loved the Valley's warm weather and relaxed lifestyle. In his later years, Rex was struck in a crosswalk by an automobile, and is buried in Forest Lawn, Glendale.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Few American artifacts remain from the Japanese occupation of the Island of Guam in World War II. This newspaper, now in the Veterans Collection of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley, was published in April, 1939. It was brought to California as a souvenir by James Fecht, who acquired it during his time in a US Military Hospital on the Island. Guam was captured by the United States during the Spanish American War on June 21, 1898. The island was exceptionally valuable, due to its convenience as a "way station" for US commercial and military ships traveling the Pacific Ocean. Guam was invaded and captured by the Japanese military on December 7th, 1941. James Fecht was a high school boy at St. Brendan School in Mexico, Missouri, when he and his classmates heard about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the Island of Guam. Both places were unknown to the boys, who as young men would find themselves all too soon in the life and death struggle between the United States and Japan. James Fecht, a United States Marine, was severely burned during a mopping-up operation at the end of the Battle of Guam.

After four long years of preparation, the American Museum of Ceramic Art opened its doors in 2004. My wife, Janne and I had a chance to visit AMOCA in 2005 at the same time the Museum of the San Fernando Valley was reincorporated. It was a great place then, and even more important today.

Unlike other nations, the United States has very few museums devoted entirely to the display of ceramic art, and the subject's amazing technology. We just saw a terrific exhibit featuring the ceramics of college teachers and students from all over Southern California; including innovative works from Pierce and Moorpark Colleges.

AMOCA is a perfect place to visit the next time you need to pick up someone at the Ontario Airport. Hopefully, you'll have plenty of time, because it's not only a great little museum, it's in the middle of an exciting revitalization of an historic downtown district.

The museum is located at 340 South Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91766. See the museum's website for hours and other general information. http://www.ceramicmuseum.org/

Monday, May 7, 2007

The keeping of war souvenirs is as old as human history. Often such items are contributed to organizations, such as The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, because they hold little interest to the families of veterans or from the desire of their owners to see that such items are properly cared for. Since the inception of our Museum, we have been dedicated to the preservation of veterans' histories, especially of those of the men and women whose lives have been part in the history of the San Fernando Valley. This week the Museum has acquired, and been promised future artifacts, from a United State Marine Corps veteran who fought in World War II. We will be sharing these objects with you via this Museum blog and later as part of our interactive website and virtual Museum. Each item in the collection will be photographed, documented and carefully preserved for study, research and potential display. Because the Museum is limited in staff and resources, this World War II era donation is a perfect challenge for our rapidly developing "Museum Community for the 21st Century." The wooden tag, pictured in this message, is about 2 ½ inches tall and 1 and ½ inches wide. Let's see if we can solve this puzzle. What does it say? What was it used for? With what organizations should your Museum share the news of our discoveries? Add your comments here, or share your thoughts and information by emailing Jerry Fecht at:jerry@anchoreducation.com

Friday, May 4, 2007

Valley artist Orpha Klinker, whose pastel of Mrs. Armitage Forbes was just purchased by Campo de Cahuenga, was one dynmaic woman! She not only served the Campo as its Vice President, but worked on behalf of over 50 other charities and community organizations. Best of all, she was a prolific artist, who reflected the styles and design interests of her time.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

GORDON SCOTT 1926 - 2007 "He was an absolutely wonderful Tarzan, who played the character as an intelligent and nice man who carried himself well, much as my grandfather had written it." Danton Burroughs* - Tarzana, California - May 2007

One of the best-loved film portrayers of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan was Gordon Scott. Born Gordon Werschkul on August 3, 1927 in Portland, Oregon, Scott played in the following Tarzan films 1955 Tarzan's Hidden Jungle 1957 Tarzan and the Lost Safari 1958 Tarzan and the Trappers 1958 Tarzan's Flight for Life 1959 Tarzan's Greatest Adventure 1960 Tarzan the Magnificent

Raised by parents who emphasized health and fitness, Gordon (the youngest of nine) entered Oregon State University to study physical education just prior to the outbreak of World War II. He left college to become a drill instructor in the US military and remained in the service until 1947. He loved physical challenges, working as a military policeman, a fireman, cowboy and finally a lifeguard at the then glamorous Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas. It was at the Sahara that Hollywood agents Walter and Edward Myers discovered the "new Tarzan." Gordon was signed to a seven year contract by the legendary sol Lesser. He took the new last name of Scott and became the eleventh man to play Tarzan of the Apes.

* Danton Burroughs is the grandson of Edgar Rice Burroughs and the son of John Coleman Burroughs, American artist and illustrator.

Search This Blog

UPCOMING EVENTS

10/15/18 -12/31/18 New Exhibit! In conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month - Pelota Mixteca, a photographic expose on a sport that originates in Oaxaca, Mexico.

It has become important to the retention and redefinition of identity and community among Oaxacan transnational migrants who currently reside in the greater Los Angeles area and play the game in the San Fernando Valley. Free Admission.